On Fri, 2008-02-29 at 10:31 +1300, Kerry Mayes wrote: > solution would be a list of the commercial entities who could supply / > support such a thing. This may be a bit commercial for this list but
You're right, one of the problems in NZ IT industry with respect to FOSS solutions is finding the support companies... In 2004 when I looked for someone to look after my sites I had difficulty finding anyone, even though the vendors who use this list were in existence, they were really not 'out there' to find. > I wouldn't recommend that a small business switch to linux servers > without competent support. (Mind you, I wouldn't suggest someone > implement a windows sbs based network without competent support > either!) Not surprisingly there are more firms in CHCH doing MS solutions _poorly_ than Linux/FOSS. Buyer beware. I've seen some solutions from reputable MS vendors in CHCH in the last couple of years that make my toes curl. This is because anyone who has CBC and two minutes experience thinks they can run a 100 seat network with SBS. Linux geeks tend to be more cautious, so they don't stick themselves out there. In fact some of them hide in dark rooms and try to perfect their art with a small customer base before even admitting they are supporting things, which leads not being able to find them in the yellow pages. Not talking about FOSS or proprietary software specifically, there is a gulf of difference between the ability to make something work, and providing a solution to a business. A lot of IT people, and particularly geeks, seem to miss that point totally. To run a successful business based around FOSS SME solutions there are some extra hurdles compared to 'commercial' solutions, but the majority of issues are identical to the ones that face 'Uncle bob's MS emporium', and they have very little to do with systems and technology. In the scheme of things it's easier to sell FOSS solutions to Enterprise level business than to SME's. $0.02 dispensed. Cheers, Me
